Fortunato Chocolate - Dark Chocolate Dates with Sea Salt - Aug. 2, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Fortunato Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Dates with Sea Salt 
Good ++ - Good +++
Weight: 1.02 oz. (29 g.) / 8 oz. (226 g.) in total package
Calories: 120 calories in 1 serving (2 dates)
Cost: $9.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Fortunato Chocoalate, online order

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Dark Chocolate Dates with Sea Salt were from Fortunato Chocolate (Issaquah, WA).

The company is a family-owned business that specializes in rare Fortunato* Pure Nacional cacao from Peru. 

Aroma notes for these dark chocolate dates included: nuanced, dark chocolate with very faint cacao fermentation, fruit, and spice. 

A relatively thin layer of subtly flavorful 68% dark chocolate surrounded large, plump, almost fluffy,  medjool date fruit. Extra points on the fruit inside the chocolate today. For a moment, I thought this exceptional fruit (date) might eclipse the high-end Fortunato dark chocolate. Fortunately the chocolate flavor experienced during the first bite returned in the finish.

I did not taste any sea salt. (The salt grains may have settled to the bottom of the package.) But I'm sure a few judicious sparkles of salt would have been a good fit, helping to balance the sweetness just a bit.

Ingredients: "68% Fortunato Dark Chocolate (organically grown cacao and cocoa butter 68%, cane sugar 32%), medjool dates, sea salt."

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of hazelnut and almonds."

*These rare Fortunato Nacional cacao beans contain a relatively high percentage (40%) of "white" cacao beans (If you cut open the seeds (aka beans), they look white inside.) 

Fortunato is the name of the farmer in Peru who is growing these trees. The company "discovered" these beans in 2008. 

Nacional is a type of "heritage" cacao that is subtle but certainly not dull. The 68% Fortunato dark chocolate was relatively sweet. More important, it lacked the bitterness and stronger, acidic or earth flavors one might find in other cacaos.

Leith Chocolate - Passionfruit Dark Chocolate (bar) - Aug. 1, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Leith Chocolate
Passionfruit Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: Missing information 
Purchased from: World Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #7 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Passionfruit Dark Chocolate (bar), a product of Scotland, was from Leith Chocolate (South Queensferry and Dublin). 

Aroma notes included: smooth dark chocolate and aromatic wafts of fruit (peach, mango, passion fruit).

Leith sources chocolate from South America; and the dark chocolate in this bar was uniform and smooth with subtle roasted dark cocoa flavor.

The fruit flavor notes were very similar to the aroma notes (mentioned above) and included the same blend of stone fruit (peach, mild apricot) and tropical fruits (mango, faint passion fruit). 

My experience with passion fruit is that this flavorful and seedy sweet and sour fruit has rich sweet citrus, floral--and occasionally cacao fruit pulp, other tropical fruits, and fruit punch--notes. 

Ingredients: "Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier: Non GMO soy lecithin, vanilla extract, natural passion fruit flavour."

Allergen-related information: "Allergens: soya" "Made in a facility that handles dairy, peanuts, soy and tree nuts." "No gluten containing ingredients"

The Xocolate Bar - Organic, Fair Trade 70% Bear Hug (bar) - Aug. 31, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

The Xocolate Bar
Bear Hug Organic, Fair Trade 70% Dark Chocolate (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1 oz. (28.3 g.) / 2 oz. (57 g.) in total bar
Calories: 155 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $14.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: The Phoenix Gift Shop, Big Sur, CA

Welcome to Day #6 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Bear Hug Organic, Fair Trade 70% Dark Chocolate (bar) was from The Xocolate Bar (Berkeley, CA). 

The fruit flavor was supplied by a sleuth* of berry-flavored gummy bears--embedded in 70% dark chocolate. The description read: "a tender gift for someone who needs a bear hug."

Aroma and flavor notes for this bar included: dark chocolate and authentic fruit (red raspberry + ripe blackberry + light purple grape) candy or jam. 

The front side of this bar was sober, serious and smooth dark chocolate. The back side was a wild candy party scene--adorned with an abundant field of tiny white sugar sprinkles. Frolicking in this field were the aforementioned berry-hued gummy bears...And the two sides, happily, co-existed harmoniously.

The organic, fair trade 70% dark chocolate kept the sugar in check, so this wasn't overly sweet (thank you!). 

Ingredients: "fair trade dark chocolate*, (cacao,* sugar,*, sunflower lecithin), gummy bears (tapioca syrup,* sugar,* pectin, grape juice,* citric acid, natural color, natural flavor, vitamins C E & A), sprinkles (sugar, cornstarch, carnauba wax) *organic..."

Allergen-related information: "Vegan; organic" 

*A "sleuth" of bears is a term referring to a group of bears observed together in one place.

Utopick Chocolate - Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Rare Citrus (bar) - July 30, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Utopick Chocolate SL
Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Rare Citrus (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.25 oz. (35 g.) / 2.5 oz. (70 g.) in total bar
Calories: 194 calories (estimate) in 1/2 bar
Cost: $18.00 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Chocolate Covered, San Francisco, CA

Welcome to Day #5 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Bean to Bar Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao Rate Citrus (bar) was from Utopick Chocolate SL (Valencia, Spain). 

Aroma notes included: chocolate with light, fleeting fermentation (alcohol), subtly layered citrus (lemon, orange), very faint warm citrus spice and lemony bittersweet herb.

The flavor notes were similar to the aroma notes above, but with richer chocolate-y notes and a slight, balanced tart (sweet sour) bitterness. The small strips of sweetened citron peel on the back of the bar added upticks of lemony flavor.

I enjoyed this sophisticated blend of two relatively bold flavors: citron peel and chocolate. Citron peel, (usually candied) is used in cooking/baking, beverages, cocktails and desserts. It's a popular citrus fruit flavor accent in Europe, but relatively rare to find in the U.S. 

Maker's tasting notes: "Roasted cocoa, orange juice, grandmarnier and vermouth herbs."

Ingredients: Cocoa beans, cane sugar, pure cocoa butter, citron, glucose and dextrose.

Allergen-related information: "May contain traces of nuts, egg and milk protein, soya and gluten, due to the presence in our factory."

Astor Chocolate - Chocolate Cliche - Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar) - July 29, 2023

Chocolate of The Day 

Astor Chocolate 
Chocolate Cliche Zero Flocks Given Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: .88 oz. (25 g.) / 1.75 oz. (50 g.) in total bar
Calories: 130 calories in 1/2 bar
Cost: $2.12 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Cost Plus World Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Chocolate Cliche Zero Flocks Given Milk Chocolate Key Lime (bar) was from Astor Chocolate (Lakewood, NJ).  The company offers a wide variety of chocolates using "premium Belgian chocolate that is sustainably produced."

Aroma and flavor notes for this milk chocolate bar included: dark milk chocolate, citrus (lemon, lime) and faint vanilla.

The texture of the base milk chocolate was smooth and creamy. Tiny, barely visible, citrus bits emitted tart-sweet lemon/lime sparkles that cooled into a slightly bitter citrus peel in sweet milk chocolate finish. 

Milk chocolate and citrus fans will find this bar an entertaining summer chocolate. (The package features a cartoon flamingo with sunglasses lounging in a pool, with "zero flocks given.") 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, soy lecithin (emsulsifier), and natural vanilla extract), dried lemon peels, dried lime powder, citric acid, natural lemon flavor, and natural citrus flavor.

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Milk and soy. May contain wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts."

The Yes Bar Co. - Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar) - July 28, 2023

Chocolate of The Day

The Yes Bar Co.
Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots (bar)
Good + - Good ++
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 bar
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $2.95 for 1 bar

Purchased from: Westpoint Harbor (shop), Redwood City, CA

Welcome to Day #3 of Chocolate and Fruits Theme Week.

Today's Macadamia Chocolate with Cherries and Apricots "snack bar for foodies" was from The Yes Bar Co. (Oakland, CA).

Aroma notes included: coconut, dried fruits (apricot, stone fruit, cherry, red berry) and very faint chocolate and warm spices (cinnamon, vanilla).

This chewy, fresh-tasting fruit and nut bar with chocolate chips had an appealing texture and flavor. 

Flavor notes included: coconut, nuts, tart sweet dried fruits (apricots, stone fruit, red fruit (cherry, berry), faint, fleeting warm spice (cinnamon), and soft bursts of chocolate flavor (chocolate chips). Macadamias have a very mild buttery flavor and are sometimes more difficult to detect in a blend like this; but I was aware of eating bits of nuts.

This vegan, gluten-free bar was full of appealing, authentic flavors and textures. The "chew" was just right--not too stiff, not too crumbly, and loaded with good things. And, best of all, it wasn't too sweet. (Thank you!)

Ingredients: Macadamia Nuts, Maple Syrup*, Cashews*, Almonds, Dark Chocolate* (Cocoa Liquor*,  Coconut Sugar*, Cocoa Butter*), Sunflower Seeds*, Pumpkin Seeds*, Coconut Butter*, Pecans, Coconut Nectar*, Dried Tart Cherries (Cherries, Sunflower Oil), Dried Apricots, Dried Cranberries (Cranberries, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sunflower Oil), Sesame Seed Butter, Ground Flax Seeds*, Cinnamon*, Sea Salt, Vanilla Extract* (Alcohol*, Vanilla Extractives*, Water). *Denotes Organic Ingredients

Allergen-related information: "Contains: Tree Nuts (Almond, Cashew, Pecan, Macadamia, Coconut), Sesame." "Made in a gluten-free facility that handles eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, sesame, and tree nuts."

Weinrich's - Wodka Lemon Vollmilch Schokolade (bar) - July 27, 2023

Chocolate of the Day

Weinrich's 1895 Finest Chocolate
Wodka Lemon Vollmich Schokolade
(Milk Chocolate with Vodka Lemon Truffle Filling)
Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 3.53 oz. (100 g.) in total bar
Calories: 219 calories (estimate) in 40 g. serving (2/5 of bar)
Cost: $2.89 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Crossroads Specialty Market, Mountain View, CA

Welcome to Day #2 of Chocolate and Fruits Week, featuring chocolates (mostly bars) with a variety of fruit flavor inclusions. Many of the fruits mirror or complement fruit notes found in cacao fruit pulp.

Today's Milk Chocolate with Vodka-Lemon-Truffle-Filling (bar) from Ludwig Weinrich GmbH & Co. KG (Herford, Germany) was made in Germany.

Aroma notes included: chocolate, very faint alcohol (vodka), citrus (lemon) and a slight bitterness consistent with dark chocolate, lemon peel and vodka.

This 40% milk chocolate had a creamy, buttery texture and melt. The milk chocolate was infused with sweet citrus flavor (lemon chiffon pie with a nut crust). A 36% milk chocolate filling with hazelnut paste providing subtle, layered flavors.

I enjoyed this creamy, lemon milk chocolate confection--part dessert and part sweet cocktail. But, it may be too sweet and buttery for some dark chocolate fans. Any alcohol flavor (vodka) likely dissipated 

Ingredients: Milk chocolate: sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, butterfat (milk), whey powder (milk), hazelnut paste, emulsifier: soy lecithin; flavour: vanilla extract. Filling: sugar, milk chocolate [sugar, cocoa mass, whole milk powder, cocoa butter, whey powder (milk)], 12% Vodka 60% vol., butterfat (milk), glucose syrup, cocoa powder, lemonoil (sic), humectant: invertase. Cocoa: 30% minimum. Milk solids: 15%. 

Allergen-related information: (Contains milk, soy and tree nuts (hazelnuts)). "May contain traces of almonds, egg and wheat."